Electronic message forwarding

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method of transmitting electronic messages in a computer environment. The preferred embodiment receives an electronic message addressed to a telephone number and determines an instant message identifier associated with the telephone number. In response to the determination that an instant message identifier associates with the telephone number, it is further determined whether an instant message receiver is available to receive messages addressed to the instant message identifier. In response to a determination that an instant message receiver is available to receive instant messages addressed to the instant message identifier, the electronic message is forwarded as an instant message addressed to the instant message identifier. In response to a determinaton that an instant message receiver is available to receive instant message addressed to the instant message identifier, electronic message is sent to a mobile device at the telephone number in response to a determination that no instant message receiver is available to receive instant messages addressed to the instant message identifier.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/236,255 filed on Sep. 23, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/723,040, filed Nov. 26, 2003, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to electronic messaging systems in a computerenvironment. More particularly, the invention relates to the delivery oran electronic message addressed to a telephone number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The information age has brought various communication tools into everyday life. In addition to the traditional telephone and facsimileservices, wireless communication systems and electronic messagingsystems are popular methods that offer convenience and advantages thatthe traditional communication devices do not provide. For example,wireless communication systems allow a mobile phone user to be reachedon his mobile phone in any places within the geographical area where thewireless telephone services are offered. Electronic messaging systemsallow a user to access electronic messages received from the Internetvia a computer terminal where he has access to the Internet.

Much effort has been made to enable electronic message delivery andcommunication across different commmuncation systems, for example,between wireless communication systems and electronic messaging systemsvia the Internet or between the electronic messaging systems andfacsimile services. A unified messaging system attempts to provide auniversal message sending and delivery system that allowsinteroperability among the three typical message types, that is, voicemail, fascimile message, and electronic messaging. Using the unifiedmessaging system, a user can retrieve all three types of messages via asingle point of access. For example, a user can access all three typesof messages via an electronic message system at a computer terminal orvia a telephone system with a telephone number.

The Short Message Services (SMS) is a type of electronic messagingsystem that allows a mobile phone user to send from one mobile phone asmall text message addressed to a telephone number for reception atanother mobile phone. Further, a user may send an SMS message to amobile phone at a telephone number through the Web site of the wirelessservice provider using a Web browser. Also, a user may send an SMSmessage to a mobile phone at a telephone number using an InstantMessaging software, like AOL Instant Messenger. The recipient may alsobe enable to reply from the mobile device using various mechanisms, likeusing special short codes that route messages to a Screen Name on theInstant Messaging service, like AOL Instant Messenger. An SMS messageaddressed to a telephone number is typically stored in a central shortmessage center which forwards it to the mobile phone at the telephonenumber when it is available for communication with the central shortmessage center.

The instant Message Services (EMS) are a real-time communication processthat allows users to exchange instant messages via a user interface overa communication network. Instant messages are typically exchanged whenthe communication channel between the source and destination devices areestablished for real-time communication.

However, interoperability between the SMS and the IMS has yet to beachieved. It would be advantageous to provide an electronic messagedelivery system that bridges both worlds of the SMS and the EMS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides processes and systems for forwarding electronicmessages addressed to telephone numbers in a computer environment.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting electronicmessages in a computer environment includes: receiving an electronicmessage addressed to a telephone number; determining an instant messageidentifier associated with the telephone number; determining an instantmessage receiver is available to receive messages addressed to theinstant message identifier; forwarding the electronic message as aninstant message addressed to the instant message identifier in responseto a determination that an instant message receiver is available toreceive instant messages addressed to the instant message identifier;maintain the identity of the telephone number in the message and for anysubsequent responses; and sending the electronic message to a mobiledevice at the telephone number in response to a determination that noinstant message receiver is available to receive instant messagesaddressed to the instant message identifier.

In one example, the electronic message includes one of a text message,an SMS text message, a Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) message, avideo message and an audio message; and the instant message is receivedat an electronic device configured to receive instant messages addressedto the instant message identifier. For example, the electronic devicemay be one of: a computer, a personal data assistant (PDA) and atelephone receiver. In one example, the instant message identifierassociated with the telephone number is determined through searching ina database. In one example, whether or not to forward the electronicmessage as an email message addressed to an email address is determinedaccording to a user preference stored in a database. In another example,whether or not to forward the electronic message as an instant messageaddressed to the instant message identifier is determined according to auser preference stored in a database. In one example, the determinationof whether or not to forward is further based on source information ofthe electronic message, such as: a source address of the electronicmessage, a user name of a sender of the electronic message, a telephonenumber of a sender of the electronic message, or an instant messageidentifier of a sender of the electronic message. In one example, theinstant message is generated from the electronic message based on one ormore predetermined rules. For example, the one or more predeterminedrules may select one or more portions of the electronic message as theinstant message and may selectively delete one or more portions of theelectronic message to generate the instant message.

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for transmittingelectronic messages in a computer environment includes: a module forreceiving an electronic message addressed to a telephone number; amodule for determining an instant message identifier associated with thetelephone number; a module for determining whether an instant messagereceiver is available to receive messages addressed to the instantmessage identifier; a module for forwarding the electronic message as aninstant message addressed to the equivalent instant message identifierin response to a determination that an instant message receiver isavailable to receive instant messages addressed to the instant messageidentifier; and a module for sending the electronic message to a mobiledevice at the telephone number in response to a determination that noinstant message receiver is available to receive instant messagesaddressed to the instant message identifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block schematic diagram showing a system that forwards anSMS message to the intended recipient's communication devices accordingto prior art;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding an SMS messageto the intended recipient according to prior art;

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram showing a system for forwarding anSMS message to the destination devices according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding the SMS textmessage according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a method of selectively forwardingelectronic messages based on user preferences according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a method of receiving the SMS textmessage with a privacy feature according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a method of selective forwarding SMStext messages according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding SMS textmessages according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding SMS messagesaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is embodied in an electronic message forwarding system ina computer environment. The invention provides methods and apparati forforwarding electronic messages addressed to telephone numbers as instantmessages for the instant message identifiers associated with thecorresponding telephone numbers.

In one embodiment of the invention, after an electronic messageaddressed to a telephone number is received for forwarding, an instantmessage identifier associated with the telephone number is determined.Then, it is determined whether an instant message receiver is availableto receive messages addressed to the instant message identifier. Theelectronic message is forwarded as an instant message addressed to theinstant message identifier in response to a determination that aninstant message receiver is available to receive instant messagesaddressed to the instant message identifier. The identity of thetelephone number in the message and for any subsequent responses ismaintained. In response to a determination that no instant messagereceiver is available to receive instant messages addressed to theinstant message identifier, the electronic message is forwarded to amobile device at the telephone number.

In one embodiment, the electronic message is not forwarded to a mobiledevice at the telephone number when the electronic message is forwardedas an instant message addressed to the instant message identifier, e.g.according to a user preference stored in the database associated withthe telephone number.

Alternatively, the electronic message may be forwarded to a mobiledevice at the telephone number regardless of whether there is an instantmessage receiver available to receive instant messages addressed to theinstant message identifier, e.g. according to a user preference storedin the database associated with the telephone number.

In one embodiment, the electronic message is forwarded as the instantmessage regardless whether there is an instant message receiveravailable to receive instant messages addressed to the instant messageidentifier, e.g. according to a user preference stored in the databaseassociated with the instance message identifier or the telephone number.

FIG. 1A is a block schematic diagram showing a system that forwards anSMS message to the intended recipient's communication devices accordingto prior art. Refering now to FIG. 1A, an SMS message originatorinstructs a mobile phone 102 to send the SMS text message to therecipient's mobile phone 106 by using the destination SMS messageaddress associated with the recipient's mobile phone number 106. The SMSmessage is received by an SMS server 104. The SMS server 104 furthertransmits the SMS message to the recipient's mobile phone 106 accordingto the telephone number designated as the destination address of the SMSmessage. The recipient receives the SMS message on the mobile phone 106.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding an SMS messageto the intended recipient according to prior art. Referring now to FIG.1B, an SMS message originator specifies the telephone number to whichthe SMS message is addressed 112. The SMS message originating mobilephone sends the SMS message to a SMS server 114. The SMS server storesthe SMS message 116 and further forwards the SMS message according tothe destination mobile telephone number of the SMS message 118 when themobile phone is in communication with the SMS server.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram showing a system for forwarding anSMS message to the destination device according to one embodiment of theinvention. Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the inventionprovides a system for forwarding an SMS message to destination devicesdepending on the real-time presence of the intended recipient. Thesystem according to one embodiment of the invention includes an SMS textmessage originator 202, an SMS server 204 that includes a routing logic206, a dynamic message control server 208, an IM server 210, and one ormore destination devices 212, 214, 216. One embodiment includesadditional media storage 218.

The SMS text message originator (“originator”) 202 generates an SMS textmessage addressed to a telephone number of the recipient mobile devices212, 214 or an email address of a desktop computer 216. The SMS textmessage originator 202 can he any SMS generating device, e.g. anSMS-enabled mobile device, a web-browser or an IM client, that allow togenerate and send the SMS text message addressed to the telephone numberor the email address.

In one embodiment, after the SMS message sender instructs the originator202 to send an SMS message to a destination device 212, 214 or 216, theSMS server 204 receives the SMS text message. The SMS server 204 thenforwards it to the dynamic message control server 208.

The dynamic message control server 208 makes decisions with regard tovarious actions that can be taken with the SMS text message, such aswhether to forward the SMS message as an instant message, or whether ornot to forward the SMS message in its original content. The details ofthese actions are described below in FIG. 3.

If the dynamic message control server 208 decides that the SMS messageshould be forwarded as an instant message, the dynamic message controlserver 208 forwards the SMS message to the IM server 210 to betransmitted further as an instant message. The IM server 210 thenforwards the SMS message as an instant message to one or more instantmessage receivers 214, 216 for the instant message identifier in oneembodiment, the destination device is an IM-enabled mobile device 214displaying the IM interface. Alternatively, the destination device 216is a computer terminal displaying an IM interface.

If the dynamic message control server 208 decides that the SMS messageshould be forwarded as an SMS message through the SMS server 204, therouting logic 206 then forwards the SMS message to the mobile phonenumber with the addressed telephone number. Alternatively, the dynamicmessage control server 208 may be implemented inside or with the routinglogic 206 in the SMS server 204, or inside the IM server 210, orpartially in the SMS server 204 and partially in the IM server 210.

In one embodiment, the destination device is an SMS-enabled mobiledevice 214. It is understood that different devices may be used toreceive different types of electronic messages. For example, the mobiledevice 214 may be used to receive the SMS messages. The computerterminal 216 may be used to receive the IM messages. The mobile device214 may also be used to receive the IM messages if IMS-enabled.

In this way, the SMS text message is routed to the destination devices214, 216 according to the routing path determined by the IM Server 210.The dynamic message control server 208 maintains a database containingthe information to map the telephone numbers for the SMS message tocorresponding instant message identifiers and user preferences. The userpreferences and the mapping between the telephone numbers and the IMidentifiers are used by the dynamic message control server 208 to routethe SMS messages according to the embodiments of the invention.

In another embodiment, media storage 218 are provided to store variousmessages. For example, an SMS text message can be forwarded not only toan IM server 210, but also the media storage 218. A message containing apicture can be forwarded to an online journal or an online album. Inaddition, user preferences could be applied so that only messagesoriginating from a registered phone number would be able to be forwardedto the media storage 218. Alternatively, user preferences could also beapplied to allow messages from any originating phone number to beforwarded to the media storage 218.

In addition, the media storage 218 provides storage when messages couldnot be forwarded to the phone number for the destination mobile device.For instance, when the destination mobile device is not capable ofreceiving the message or parts of the message, the whole message and/orits parts could be forwarded for storage.

It is understood that any type of electronic messages addressed to atelephone, such as a text message, an SMS short text message, anMultimedia Messaging Services (MMS) message, a video message, a graphicmessage and an audio message, can be routed according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding the SMS textmessage according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring now toFIG. 3, the invention provides a method of forwarding an SMS textmessage addressed to a telephone number at either a mobile device in theSMS text message format or one or more IM message receivers displayingan IM message interface, depending upon whether there is an IM messagereceiver available to receive IM messages.

In one embodiment of the invention, the SMS text message recipientsubscribes to both the SMS service and the IM service. At the time ofthe registration of the services, the recipient receives an SMS address,or has one already assigned, which is typically the telephone number ofthe mobile device number for the SMS service. For example, an SMS textmessage recipient Jane Smith is assigned an SMS text message address650.555.1212, which is her mobile telephone number. A user of a mobilephone may send an SMS text message to the mobile phone of Jane Smith byspecifying the phone number 650.555.1212 as the destination address. Anemail address, such as 6505551212@Serviceprovider.com, may also be usedfor sending a text message from an email client program to the SMScenter of the service provider for delivery as the SMS text message tothe mobile device at the address of 650.555.1212.

Meanwhile, she registers a screen name representing her identity in anIM service system, e.g. JaneSmith1. When setting up her user profile,she associates her screen name of her IM service with the mobile devicenumber of her SMS services. Thus, for example, the user profile databaseof the dynamic message control server associates the screen name“JaneSmith1” with the mobile device number 650.555.1212.

The user profile database may also associate her screen name with otherprofile information regarding the recipient, such as Preferences of JaneSmith in routing SMS messages as instant messages. For example, she mayspecify user preference information that directs the determinationprocess in forwarding SMS text messages as IM messages and userpreference information for applying filters to forwarded messages. Forexample, the filters may include a SPAM filter, a rate-limiting filter,do-not-message list filters or even do-not-call list filters.

In one embodiment, the SMS text message sender instructs the SMSoriginator to send an SMS text message to a mobile device address thatincludes the mobile device number 302. The SMS server receives the SMStext message and forwards it to the dynamic message control server 304.

Subsequently, the dynamic message control server determines whether therecipient at the mobile device number has enabled the SMS forwardingfeature 306. The SMS text message is forwarded to the mobile devicenumber directly 308 if it is determined that the recipient at the mobiledevice number did not enable the SMS forwarding feature 306.

If it is determined that the recipient at the mobile device numberenabled the SMS forwarding feature 306, the SMS server proceeds todetermine whether the recipient desires to forward the SMS message as aninstant message 310 to the IM service address by checking against theuser preference profile.

If it is determined that the recipient does not desire to forward theSMS message to as an instant message 310, the SMS text message isforwarded to the intended mobile device number at the mobile phonenumber 308.

If the recipient desires to forward the SMS message as an instantmessage 310, it is then determined whether an IM receiver is availableto receive IM messages 312.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is dynamically determined whetherthe recipient's IM service receiver is available to receive an IMmessage 312. If it is determined that the recipient's IM servicereceiver is not available to receive an IM message 312, the SMS textmessage is forwarded to the intended mobile device address as the SMStext message 308. However, if it is determined that the recipient's IMservice receiver is available to receive an IM message 312, the SMS textmessage is forwarded as an instant message to the recipient's IM displayinterface for delivery 314. Various features can be implemented inforwarding the SMS message as the IM message. These features arediscussed below in connection with their respective figures.

In one embodiment, the recipent's IM display interface is on a computerterminal. In another embodiment, the recipient's IM display interface ison a mobile device such as a PDA or a mobile telephone. Once the instantmessaging interface is initiated, the information for establishing thereal-time or near real-time communication with the IM message receivingdevice is sent to an IM server so that IM messages can be delivered inreal time or near real time.

In one embodiment of the invention, the IM user can also respond to thesender of the SMS message, which is forwarded to the SMS user as an SMSmessage, using an IM forwarding to the SMS service 314. For example, theserver which forwards the SMS message to the IM receiver is aware of thesource of the SMS message. When the IM receiver responds to the senderof the SMS message by an IM message, the server automatically convertsthe IM message into an SMS message for delivery to the sender. When thisSMS message is delivered to device used by the SMS text message sender,it would appear to originate from the phone number-originally addressed.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of logging the dateand time for the delivery of the message to email addresses, the instantmessage identifiers or the storage medium. The method also provides amethod of forwarding the electronic messages to a storage medium thattemporarily or permanently stores the electronic messages. The messagescan be forwarded according to the time and date preferences of theinstant message receiver.

In this way, the invention bridges the gap between the two worlds of theSMS services and the services. The invention enables an IM servicesubscriber to bring the SMS service to the IM service community. The SMStext messages can be received as instant messages routed to IM serviceclients on which she is signed onto as determined by the IM server in adynamic real-time fashion.

Meanwhile, an SMS text message sender with an SMS-enabled mobile phoneswould not have to learn anything new, as unfamiliarity with a newtechnology may become an obstacle for some users. By virtue of sendingan SMS text message to a mobile device number that happens to beregistered for an SMS text messaging to Instant Message forwardingfeature, an SMS text message user can communicate with an IM user who ispresent on the Internet via the IM user interface.

Moreover, someone who uses both Instant Messaging and SMS can maintaincontact with those who only know him by his mobile phone number; theywould not have to know his IM identity. They could simply send a SMStext message to the mobile phone number.

The invention facilitates domain sharing with wireless carriers andprovides a method of automatically absorbing a large amount of wirelesstelephone service customers when they sign on IM services. For example,if a wireless telephone service customer's telephone number is nowregistered with IM services with an IMS screen name, the wirelesstelephone number would automatically become eligible for IMS messageforwarding services. Thus, the IMS subscriber is able to go onlinethrough an IM client, receive an IM message and receive an SMS textmessage sent to the wireless telephone number.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a method of selectively forwardingelectronic messages based on user preferences according to oneembodiment of the invention. A variety of actions can he taken whenforwarding the electronic messages based on user preference according toembodiments of the invention. For example, the user can choose whetheror not the SMS messages shall be forwarded and where the SMS messageshould to he forwarded to. The user preference may be set whenregistering an SMS service or an IM service or changed later.

Referring now to FIG. 4, after an SMS text message addressed to atelephone number is received 402, the dynamic message control serverdetermines whether to forward the SMS text message regardless of theavailability of the IM receiver based on user preference 404. If it isdetermined that the SMS text message shall be forwarded as an SMS textmessage regardless of the availability of the IM receiver based on userpreference 404, the SMS text message is thus forwarded to the mobilephone of the addressed telephone number as an SMS text message withoutsending it as an instant message 406. In effect, the IMS service isblocked with regard to the SMS text message sender.

If it is determined that the SMS text message shall not be forwarded asan SMS text message regardless of the availability of the IM receiverbased on user preference 404, the dynamic message control server thendetects whether a receiver of the instant message identifier associatedwith the telephone number is available to receive instant messages 408.

If it is determined that the receiver of the instant message identifierassociated with the telephone number is not available to receive instantmessages 408, the SMS text message is forwarded to the addressedtelephone number as an SMS text message without sending it as an instantmessage 406. However, if it is the receiver of the instant messageidentifier associated with the telephone number is available to receiveinstant messages 408, the SMS text messages is forwarded to the receiverof the instant message identifier based on the user preference 410.

In this way, an IMS user controls whether or not she wants to receive anSMS text message as an instant message.

An instant message is thus generated and forwarded to the instantmessage receiver of the instant message identifier, such as a screenname 412. In one embodiment, the recipient of the SMS text message maychoose to use one specific user interface to receive messages and manageher conversations. A variety of the electronic devices can be configuredto display the IMS user interface. Such electronic devices include butnot limited to a computer terminal, a personal data assistant (PDA), amobile or wired telephone receiver or other mobile devices. After theuser uses the selected device for receiving instant messages, e.g. bystarting the software program for the user interface and connecting toan instant message server using the screen name, the selected devicebecomes availabe to receive instant messages.

For example, Jane Smith can sign onto her computer to enjoy the richmessaging experience that an IM service client provides. The IM clientcan group messages from the same person within one window. When an SMStext message can be forwarded to an IM service client, the SMS textmessage recipient can sign onto an IM interface to receive the SMS textmessage using the IM service client, providing a better experience thanan SMS text message interface while including some of the samefunctionality, e.g. grouping messages from the same person into aconversation.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram showing a method of receiving the SMS textmessage with a privacy feature according to one embodiment of theinvention. User A receives from and sends SMS text messages to User Busing mobile devices. Subsequently, User A wants to stop receivingmessages from User B. The invention provides a method of discontinuingreceiving SMS text messages from an undesired source.

Referring now to FIG. 5, User A may use a pre-determined telephonenumber that is available to all SMS forwarding subscribers who want touse the privacy feature. User A may send a text message containing UserB's telephone number to the pre-determined telephone number todiscontinue receiving SMS text messages from User B's telephone number.

In one embodiment, an SMS server receives an SMS text message originatedfrom User A addressed to a pre-determined telephone number 502. It isdetermined whether the SMS text message originated from User A containsa telephone number 504, e.g. User B's telephone number. If it isdetermined that the SMS text message originated from User A containsUser B's telephone number, any future SMS text message from User B'stelephone number to User A's telephone number, will not be forwarded tothe User A's telephone number or the instant message identifierassociated with User A's telephone number 506. Thus, the future SMS textmessage from User B to User A will be blocked. In effect, User B's SMStext message intended to reach User A falls on a “deaf ear.”

Alternatively, the unwanted messages may be forward to a storage mediafor permanent storage.

In another embodiment, User A uses a computer to create a list oftelephone numbers to block. In this case, all unwanted messages from thetelephone numbers on the block lists are blocked.

In one embodiment, the “deaf ear” telephone number generates an SMS textmessage as an automatic response stating that the recipient of theoriginal SMS text message, e.g. User A, no longer wants to receivefuture messages from the sender, e.g. User B.

However, if it is determined that the SMS text message originated fromUser A does not contain User B's telephone number 504, the SMS textmessage is forwarded according to user preference 508.

In this way, the invention provides a method of blocking any futuremessages originating from a specified telephone number to the telephonenumber of a user, or the instant message identifier associated with thatuser's telephone number. Similarly, User A may choose to block futureinstant messages originated from the screen name associated with thetelephone number of User B by sending the telephone number of User B inan SMS message to a predetermined telephone number.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of selective forwarding SMStext messages according to one embodiment of the invention. Theinvention provides a method of selectively forwarding SMS text messagesaccording to its source information. The present invention brings theIMS functionality to the SMS Service.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, once the SMS server receivesan SMS text message 602, the source Information about the originatingand the destination telephone numbers of the SMS text message ispackaged 604. Without sending the SMS text message itself, the packetincluding the source information of the SMS text message is sent to thedynamic message control server 606. Once received by the dynamic messagecontrol server, the content of the packet is checked against the userpreference 608.

In one embodiment, the user preference can be set by the destinationtelephone number user or the parents who excise parental control of ateenager user. For example, a destination telephone number user canindicate in the user preference that an SMS text message originated froma specific telephone number should be blocked. In this case, the dynamicmessage control server checks if the packet for the destinationtelephone number includes a specified telephone number. If it does, themessage is blocked or filtered according to the user preference.

It is then determined whether the SMS text message should be forwardedor not to the destination telephone number 610. If it is determined thatthe SMS text message can continue on to its destination, then the SMStext message is delivered to the SMS-enabled mobile phone or an IMSreceiver 612. Alternatively, if it is determined that the SMS textmessage should not continue on to its destination, no attempts ofdelivery of the SMS text message is made 614.

In one embodiment, a user can choose to block all other SMS textmessages forwarding but allow only certain types of SMS text messages toreach the mobile phone or the IMS receiver according to the sourceinformation. For example, a user may register the preference to receiveSMS text message from only two sources, e.g. the telephone numbers fromthe user's parents and from the user's boss. Alternatively, a user mayregister the preference to receive all SMS text messages except one ormore specified source telephone numbers.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding SMS textmessages according to one embodiment of the invention. The inventionprovides a method of forwarding SMS text messages according topredetermined rules.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, at least one user preferenceis provided to allow a user to register and make rules of forwarding theSMS text messages 702. One or more specific undesired words may beentered into a database that are available to be checked against later.For example, a user may make rules of deleting specific words ofprofanity from all incoming SMS text messages before the messages areforwarded as instant messages or delivered to the telephones as SMS textmessages; or messages may be blocked from being forwarded at all. Inanother example, a user may choose to delete specific words or sentencesor paragraphs suggesting illegal drugs from all incoming SMS textmessage. In another embodiment, a user may choose to apply differentfilters that are provided by the system. The various filters make therules of forwarding the SMS text messages.

After the SMS server receives an SMS text message 704, the contents ofan SMS text message are checked against the target words and adetermination is made whether certain selection rules are applicable tothe incoming SMS text message 706. In one embodiment:, a search isperformed to determine whether the SMS text message include target wordsstored in a database. Once a determination that certain selection rulesare applicable to the incoming SMS text message 706, a new message isgenerated according to the predetermined selection rules 708. Forexample, the undesired target words originally in the SMS text messageare deleted; and an instant message without the target words isgenerated.

If no selection rules are applicable to the incoming SMS text message706, the SMS text message is forwarded in its original content accordingto user preferences.

In this way, the invention provides a method of parental control toallow parents to supervise a minor's use of SMS message systems.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a method of forwarding SMS messagesaccording to one embodiment of the invention. The invention provides amethod of generating an automatic response in response to an SMS textmessage.

Referring now to FIG. 8, User A has been using short message service(SMS) to send and receive SMS text messages from and to his mobilephone. Subsequently, User A wants to automatically generate a responseto other users who send him a message. User A sends a text messagecontaining the automatic response to a pre-determined phone number, e.g.the message “Gone Fishin'” sent to a predetermined telephone number“*99” or “4699.

In one embodiment, after an SMS server receives an SMS text messageaddressed to a predetermined telephone number 802, the dynamic messagecontrol server determines the source telephone number of the SMS textmessage 804. Based on the source telephone number information, thepreferences of the user of the source telephone number is modified 806so that an automatic response is generated for any future SMS textmessages addressed to the source telephone number. For example, when theSMS server receives the SMS text message “Gone Fishin'” from User A, thetelephone number associated with User A is determined and the preferenceof User A is modified so that the server will generate an automaticresponse to future SMS text messages addressed to the telephone number.

For example, when an incoming SMS message is determined to be addressedto the telephone number that requires an automatic response, an SMS textmessage containing the automatic response is generated 808. The contextof the SMS message from the telephone number that requests the automaticresponse service, e.g. User A's telephone number, maybe used to generatethe automatic response. For example, after User A sends a text messageof “Gone fishin'” to a predetermined telephone number “*99” or “4699,any text message addressed to the telephone number of User A will beautomatically responded with the automatic generated response textmessage “Gone fishin,” which is the text equivalent of a voicemailgreeting/auto-reply for User A.

Thus, this action initiates the capability to generate the automaticresponse. Optionally, a particular status may be associated with thisautomatic response, which could be displayed on devices that support thedisplay of such status.

Although the above embodiments and examples are described in aparticular combination and flow order, different combinations anddifferent orders of processing steps can be used. Some user preferencescan be shared or derived from other products and preferences.

Alternatively, some additional user preferences can be set to conditionthe message delivery to the instant message receiver based on time anddates. For instance, in FIG. 7, there could be a pre-determined rulestating that within a certain time period, e.g. 12:00 am-6:00 am, and/orwithin a date range, e.g. Dec. 25, 2003-Jan. 1, 2004, messages would notbe forwarded either to the instant message receiver and/or the mobiledevice. Additionally, the user may be able to specify an auto-response,as shown in FIG. 8, during this period.

In one embodiment, message delivery could also be dependent oncommunity-wide SPAM rules that go beyond user preferences. For instance,if the originating phone number violates any community wide rules, hasbeen excommunicated from the community, or has sent too many messageswithin a period of time (i.e., rate-limiting), the phone number may beput on a list of phone numbers. If a phone number is on this list, theDynamic Message Control Server would not deliver messages originatingfrom this phone number to any destination device. Similarly, destinationphone numbers may opt to be on a “Do Not Message” list, akin to the “DoNot Call” List. In effect, if the destination phone number is on thelist, messages from certain originating phone numbers would not bedelivered to the destination phone number.

In one embodiment, a log of messages could be created by the DynamicMessage Control Server regardless of how a message is forwarded. Forinstance, if the message is forwarded to the mobile device numberdirectly like in 308, then this action is recorded in the log. This logwould be accessible by an administrator tool which would be part of thedynamic message control server.

It can be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented onthe SMS C server or can be implemented on separate servers, such as anIM server. A dynamic message control server can be included in the SMS-Cserver A routing logic can be implemented independent of the SMS serverwith the dynamic message control server.

It is important to note that embodiments of the methods can be furtherused with other types of electronic messages. Other types of electronicmessages include any type of electronic messages capable of beingdelivered and received by SMS/MMS-enabled and/or IMS-enabled electronicdevices, such as a text message, an MMS message, a video message and anaudio message etc. An SMS-enabled and IMS-enabled electronic devicesinclude a computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile or wiredtelephone receiver or other electronic devices.

It is also important to note that embodiments of the invention includean apparatus for transmitting an electronic message according to themethods described above and a program storage medium readable by acomputer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by thecomputer to perform the method for updating address information asdescribed above.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to thepreferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the claims includedbelow.

1. A method of transmitting electronic messages in a computerenvironment, comprising the steps of: receiving an electronic messageaddressed to a telephone number; determining an instant messageidentifier associated with the telephone number; determining whether aninstant message receiver is available to receive messages addressed tothe instant message identifier; forwarding the electronic message as aninstant message addressed to the instant message identifier in responseto a determination that an instant message receiver is available toreceive instant messages addressed to the instant message identifier;and sending the electronic message to a mobile device at the telephonenumber in response to a determination that no instant message receiveris available to receive instant messages addressed to the instantmessage identifier.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronicmessage comprises any of: a text message, an SMS text message, an MMSmessage, a video message, and an audio message.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the instant message is received at an electronic deviceconfigured to receive instant messages addressed to the instant messageidentifier.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the electronic devicecomprises any of: a computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), and atelephone receiver.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determiningthe instant message identifier comprises searching for the instantmessage identifier associated with the telephone number in a database.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: determiningwhether or not to forward the electronic message as an email messageaddressed to an email address according to a user preference stored in adatabase.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:determining whether or not to forward the electronic message as aninstant message addressed to the instant message identifier according toa user preference stored in a database.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the determining whether or not to forward is further based onsource information of the electronic message.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the source information comprises any of: a source address of theelectronic message, a user name of a sender of the electronic message, atelephone number of a sender of the electronic message, and an instantmessage identifier of a sender of the electronic message.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the instant message is generated from the electronicmessage based on one or more predetermined rules.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more predetermined rules select one or moreportions of the electronic message as the instant message.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the one or more predetermined rulesselectively delete one or more portions of the electronic message togenerate the instant message.
 13. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding the step of forwarding the electronic message to a storagemedium.
 14. The method of claim 1, further including the step of storingthe electronic message in the storage medium.
 15. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of: determining whether or not to forwardthe electronic message to the storage medium according to the userpreference stored in the database.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: forwarding the electronic message to the storagemedium when the forwarding to the mail address and the instant messageidentifier fails
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the determiningwhether or not to forward is further based on source information of theelectronic message.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the userpreference stored in the database includes date and time preference ofthe instant message receiver.
 19. The method of claim 1, furtherincludes the step of logging the forwarding the electronic message. 20.The method of claim 1, further includes blocking the forwarding of theelectronic messages based on a list of telephone numbers.